A pair of gloves exchanged for Aunt Hua’s even more attentive care.
In the following days, Su Qiu lived quite comfortably. Aside from going up the mountain in the mornings to learn how to cut pig grass with others, Aunt Hua personally handled the pig feeding every day, and she only helped out with minor tasks.
This stood in sharp contrast to the other Educated Youth. Geng Jiao gritted her teeth and discussed with the others. In the end, they decided to go to the Production Team Leader’s home to give gifts as well.
……
That day,
After work, Geng Jiao, Wang Xuefei, and the others finished dinner and, using the excuse of going for a walk, secretly left the Educated Youth Station carrying items.
Su Qiu did not pay them much attention at all and had no idea what they were going out for.
These past few days, she had been eating and drinking well, her nutrition was well-balanced. With the help of skincare products, her little face was no longer so frighteningly thin, and her sharp chin had become slightly softer and rounder.
Her skin still could not become completely fair overnight, but compared to its previous dull yellowish tone, it now had a healthy glow. It felt soft to the touch, and in the mirror she looked no different from an ordinary person.
She was finally no longer alarmingly thin.
Zhao Na often pinched her cheeks and joked with a smile that she might be more suited to rural life, since she looked much better than when she had just arrived.
These words happened to be overheard by Wang Li, who then sarcastically implied that Su Qiu must have been eating well in secret.
Su Qiu did not bother with her and simply explained to the others.
She said that in her previous factory job, she rarely saw sunlight, and over time her health had become poor. She had little appetite and did not like eating, which slowly caused her to become so thin.
After coming to the countryside, breathing fresh air every day and getting more sunlight, her appetite recovered and her body gradually improved.
The others believed her without doubt, while only Wang Li rolled her eyes behind her back, thinking that Su Qiu was very scheming and was just making things up to deceive people.
The reason Su Qiu said this was also to prepare everyone in advance.
After all, with her dimension space in the future, her appearance and figure would only keep improving.
It would save her from being gossiped about later.
The Educated Youth Station was almost about to turn off the lights when Geng Jiao and Wang Xuefei finally rushed back.
The two of them hurried inside and began washing up clumsily, making quite a bit of noise.
Wang Li said irritably: “Sister Zhao, aren’t you going to control them? I still have to work tomorrow.”
Zhao Na also could not sleep. She put on a coat, got out of bed, and led the two of them outside to speak in low voices.
“I don’t care what you want to do, but the Educated Youth Station has its rules. Lights must be out by nine o’clock, and everything must be washed up before that, or it will affect others’ work the next day.”
Geng Jiao bit her lip and said somewhat aggrievedly: “Sister Zhao, we’re not usually like this. We just came back late today.”
Wang Xuefei quickly apologized: “Sister Zhao, we know we were wrong. We won’t do this again next time. We’re sorry for the trouble.”
Seeing their sincere attitude, Zhao Na said nothing more and only told them to hurry up.
Geng Jiao’s hands had been rubbed raw from work these past two days, even developing blisters, and her whole body was covered in sweat. Now she could not even properly wash up.
Tears kept falling from her eyes. “I don’t want to stay here anymore… I want to go home…”
Wang Xuefei lowered her gaze. “Jiaojiao, just endure a little longer. Didn’t Uncle Geng say he would try to get you back as soon as possible?”
Although she said this to comfort her, Wang Xuefei understood clearly in her heart.
Everyone wanted to go home, but it was not that easy. Geng Jiao’s family probably also found it difficult.
……
The next day,
It was Su Qiu’s turn to go up the mountain alone to cut pig grass.
Aunt Hua was busy today and could not accompany her.
Su Qiu carried a large basket and held a sickle as she set off directly up the mountain.
Taking advantage of the early morning when there were few people around, she found a hidden spot and entered her dimension space to take a bath.
These past few days, she had only been able to roughly wipe herself down and could not properly bathe. It had been unbearable.
After happily finishing her bath, she gave herself a full-body skincare spa and wrapped herself in a bath towel while taking care of her face.
First, she applied a repair face mask, then went through layers of essence, toner, and moisturizer.
Finally, she applied sunscreen. She did not want to wear her old clothes, so she changed into new undergarments and an inconspicuous gray sports outfit.
When she exited the dimension space, she casually took out a fresh fruit bowl.
Sitting on a rock on the hillside, Su Qiu enjoyed the morning sunlight while happily eating her fruit bowl.
Being alone was truly great. She did not have to constantly guard against others while using her dimension space, and the freedom was indescribably pleasant.
Just then, a tentative voice came from behind her.
“Educated Youth Su?”
Su Qiu’s body stiffened. With her back still turned, she quickly put the fruit bowl back into her dimension space.
She calmly turned around and saw that it was Wei Ye, which inexplicably made her feel relieved.
Wei Ye’s gaze, however, fell on the girl’s puffed-up cheeks.
Her face seemed a little rounder than last time, and her eyes were bright and lively. Combined with her puffed cheeks, she looked like a little squirrel storing pinecones for winter—somehow both silly and cute.
Was she secretly hiding here early in the morning to eat?
Wei Ye shook his head with a faint smile and walked over carrying a wild rabbit.
“Just caught a wild rabbit. Whoever sees it shares it. I’ll treat you to roasted rabbit.”
Su Qiu widened her eyes, wanting to speak, but realized her mouth was still full. In her panic, she had not finished chewing the melon pieces.
She instinctively covered her mouth while chewing quickly and said unclearly: “Comrade Wei, no need… really no need. You should take it home and eat it with your family.”
“Better to feed those ungrateful wretches than them,” Wei Ye said casually. “Think of it as doing a good deed.”
Without further explanation, he walked aside and began handling the rabbit on the spot.
His pockets seemed like a treasure bag, pulling out a water flask, a small knife, and various tools.
After cleaning the rabbit, he skewered it with a wooden stick, set up a simple grill, gathered some dry leaves and branches, struck a fire, and began roasting it.
Su Qiu watched the entire process from behind him and felt that he worked cleanly and efficiently.
Thinking of Wei Ye’s earlier words, she opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing.
Although she did not know what conflict he had with his family, for him to use the words “ungrateful wretches,” his family likely had not treated him well.
While roasting the rabbit, Wei Ye took out seasoning packets from his pockets and sprinkled them evenly.
Su Qiu could not help but stare at his trousers pocket. It looked ordinary, yet it could hold so many things.
Since he had invited her to eat roasted rabbit, she could not be too stingy in return.
Su Qiu pretended to rummage through her basket of pig grass, but in reality she took out two apples and some loose milk biscuits from her dimension space.
There was no packaging, so it should not arouse suspicion. She would just say they were bought in the Capital City—no one would travel that far to verify it.
After taking them out, she walked over and sat beside Wei Ye, first holding out an apple.
“Comrade Wei, you treat me to wild rabbit meat, so I’ll treat you to an apple.”
Wei Ye glanced at the smiling girl beside him, then at the bright red apple in her hand, and felt something indescribable in his heart.
He shook his head. “No need. I don’t like it. Keep it for yourself.”
Upon hearing this, Su Qiu immediately knew he was lying. In this era, food was precious, and fruit was even more rare. Many people could not even eat enough—how could someone not like such sweet, crisp apples?